Pepe pleads for patience from Real Madrid fans

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Ahead of their La Liga opener against city rivals Atletico, Pepe said: "I hate losing and that's how I play on the field. I'm a player who always gives his best and I hope fans have patience because all the players here are working hard to give our supporters joy.

"At the moment it is difficult. On Sunday we played four players who had just arrived in Madrid and you could see that on the field. The team is still getting used to eachother, it is a new project and each one of us must work hard so that we adjust as soon as possible.

"This week is important because on Saturday we have a very big game."

On coach Bernd Schuster's reaction, the former Porto defender added: "The trainer is sad with the result. It is a setback for him and all the members of the squad. It was not the result that we wanted, but now what we must do is raise our spirits to face the derby on Saturday against Atletico."